The 3rd IEEE International Workshop on System-on-Chip for Real-Time Applications (IWSOC'03)
Automating Functional Coverage Analysis Based on an Executable Specification
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
June 30-July 02
ISBN: 0-7695-1944-X
This paper presents a novel approach for functional coverage analysis automation. It is well known that functional verification is a real bottleneck in any digital design development. Consequently, it is necessary to develop new methodologies to increase the quality of functional verification. A metric that measures the functional coverage is specific to each design, and it depends on its functional requirements. Hence, we propose a methodology supported by a tool that automates the coverage analysis at the functional level. Our tool takes as entry a standard executable specification and generates test bench components aimed at performing a functional coverage analysis on a specific design. We use functional metrics as parameters in our tool and apply theses metrics on an executable specification. Using our methodology, we are able to provide a quantitative evaluation of test suites developed to exercise the functionality defined in an executable specification. The application of these test suites on a RTL design improves error detection, through a better exploration of the design It also increase the degree of confidence in the design.
Citation:
S?bastien Regimbal, Jean-Fran?ois Lemire, Yvon Savaria, Guy Bois, El Mostapha Aboulhamid, Andr? Baron, "Automating Functional Coverage Analysis Based on an Executable Specification," iwsoc, pp.228, The 3rd IEEE International Workshop on System-on-Chip for Real-Time Applications (IWSOC'03), 2003